The Galapagos Islands, declared a Natural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 1978, have garnered scientific interest since the nineteenth century due to their pivotal role in Charles Darwin’s Theory of Evolution. Despite numerous studies on the fauna and flora of the archipelago, research on microorganisms from the underground lava tubes remains limited. These unexplored subterranean environments are crucial components of the islands’ geodiversity, hosting unique geological and geomorphological features that contribute significantly to the archipelago’s heritage.
The microbial communities found in the lava tubes, particularly in Royal Palm Cave and Bellavista Cave on Santa Cruz Island, exhibit a diverse composition dominated by Firmicutes, Alphaproteobacteria, and Actinobacteria. However, the challenge arises from uncertain phylogenetic similarities and the difficulty in assigning functional capabilities to the retrieved sequences. The presence of white patinas coating coralloid stalactites with abundant microbial structures underscores the intricate microbial ecosystems thriving in these volcanic environments.
Moreover, the moonmilk deposits in Bella 1, showing less than 90% similarity with known isolates, hint at the potential discovery of novel microbial species. Through extensive sequencing and analysis, the study aims to unravel the unique microbial communities in these lava tubes, emphasising the importance of conserving and understanding the microbial heritage of these geosites.
This research contributes significantly to the heritage conservation efforts by shedding light on the microbial ecology of volcanic terrains and advocating for further exploration and characterization of these distinct ecosystems to preserve their ecological significance and heritage value.
